“Freedom is not free,” are sage words printed on the Brick By Brick Memorial located in front of Picayune City Hall. The American Revolution, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea and Viet Nam are engraved under the names on the bricks at the Memorial.

Three more will be added, Sgt. Larry Arnold, Sgt. Carl Seigart, and Sgt. Sgt. Chip Burge, all who gave their lives in Iraq. This brings to mind just how costly freedom has been to the families of Pearl River County, and families of America.

Seventeen years ago, the Career Women’s Club started organizing this beautiful memorial to local veterans. The bricks are engraved to pay for the monument and its upkeep.

“This would be a great Father’s Day present,” Diane Lee said on Thursday. “It’s unique and it would be a great way to honor Dad.”

The veterans that are engraved in the bricks are men and women from the Pearl River County region.

“There are one or two from Hancock County, but most are from around here,” Lee said.

Pearl River County has contributed its share of young men’s lives. But, the veteran doesn’t have to have died during a war to get a name engraved on a brick. Those who are currently in military service or those who served but are no longer in the military can be honored with a brick.

You can get a form to purchase a brick for your veteran at Picayune Main Street at 503 W. Canal or call Diane Lee at 601-798-4425.